News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government welcomes South Africa hosting the 2027 World Economic Forum Africa Summit
# The Nkabinde Inquiry into Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office resumes today
# And, Tshwane clarifies its engagement with Correctional Services on Kgosi Mampuru’s debt

# Government has welcomed the World Economic Forum’s decision to once again entrust South Africa with hosting the WEF Africa Summit in 2027. The summit was last held in September 2019 in Cape Town, but has been paused since the Covid-19 pandemic fallout in 2020. Government acting spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa, says hosting the summit will provide a significant boost to the tourism sector, support economic growth, and create opportunities for job creation across hospitality, transport, logistics and related value chains:

# The Nkabinde Inquiry into the fitness of suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Andrew Chauke, to hold office will resume today. Chauke was suspended in July last year after the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, complained to President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing several cases he allegedly failed to prosecute. The president suspended Chauke, pending the inquiry into his fitness. Batohi, who remains under oath, is expected to resume her testimony. However, there is uncertainty about whether she will appear following her contentious walkout last year.

# The City of Tshwane says it has noted the statement issued by the Department of Correctional Services, regarding an intended electricity disconnection at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility. The department criticised mayor Nasiphi Moya’s statement that the metro was targeting Kgosi Mampuru over an alleged eight-million-rand utility debt. The department claims this is based on an incorrect account statement. The metro’s spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, says the arrears are reflected on its billing system and formed the basis for a site visit last week:

# The Israeli military says it is conducting a large-scale operation to locate the body of the last hostage in Gaza. Israel has resisted moving forward with phase two of the US-backed peace plan for Gaza, including reopening the Rafah Crossing, before Ran Gvili’s body has been returned. The Israeli military is searching a cemetery in northern Gaza. Hamas says it has provided all the information it has about Gvili’s remains, accusing Israel of obstructing efforts to search for them in areas of Gaza under Israeli military control.

# Soccer: Manchester United stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 3-2 victory at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners’ first home defeat of the season. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, and Matheus Cunha saw United move into fourth place. Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table has now been reduced to four points following title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa’s wins. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says defeats are part of the game:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-97-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-350-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-72-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….